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KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...

White Bark's Quensland Portfolio To Utilize Geothermal Using Green Hydrogen

White Bark 's Ambitious Geothermal Vision: Pioneering Australia's Future in Clean Energy

By: Robert Buluma

In the vast and resource-rich lands of Queensland's Cooper Basin , White Bark Energy is spearheading a transformation that could redefine Australia’s energy landscape. With its recent acquisition of an additional 1,250 sub-blocks for geothermal exploration, the company is not just expanding its footprint but solidifying its role as a leader in the nation's clean energy future.

White Bark Energy  latest exploration permit, a sprawling 3,873 square kilometers of geothermal potential, represents more than just new territory. It’s a strategic move in a well-calculated plan to harness the untapped geothermal power beneath Queensland's surface. This new permit complements White Bark's two existing licenses, creating a robust geothermal network that aligns with the Australian Government’s aggressive push towards renewable energy. The government’s $11.2 billion incentive for hydrogen production has positioned Whitebark at the forefront of a green revolution.

What makes this expansion particularly compelling is the company’s vision of a “hydrogen hub” in Queensland. White Bark's Energy isn’t merely content with extracting geothermal energy; they are pioneering an ambitious project to convert this geothermal energy into hydrogen. This venture, dubbed the Geothermal to Hydrogen project, is set to be the first of its kind in Australia, marking a significant milestone in the nation's pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

Our Business intelligence department unearthed the fact that geological hydrogen is the new sherrif in town and you could Dive deep into this art and today we are certain that supercritical Geothermal is the aftermath in this Advaced Geothermal Karaoke

Located just 100 kilometers west of Windorah, the project is strategically positioned near essential market infrastructure and energy end-users. This proximity not only ensures a seamless integration of geothermal power into the National Energy Market (NEM) but also supports local green hydrogen production, a crucial step towards Australia’s clean energy goals White Bark's General Manager, Adam Stepanoff, emphasizes the company’s commitment to advancing renewable energy, stating, “We are excited about the potential of our combined portfolio and will continue to evaluate opportunities as part of our ongoing hydrogen commercialisation study.” This sentiment echoes the company’s broader strategy to collaborate with government bodies and technology partners, ensuring that their projects are not only technologically viable but also financially sustainable.

But WhiteBark's vision doesn’t stop at geothermal to hydrogen conversion. The company is also advancing its Geothermal Energy project in south-east Queensland, where resource assessments and native title clearance works are underway. Positioned within the National Electricity Network, this project offers a near-term opportunity for commercialization, further enhancing Whitebark’s influence in the renewable energy sector.

In a world increasingly conscious of its carbon footprint, White Bark is making a bold statement: geothermal energy is not just a viable option; it’s a necessary one. Their ongoing efforts to consolidate their Queensland asset base and develop a comprehensive work program reflect a deep commitment to meeting the growing demand for clean, reliable energy.

As the first half of next year approaches, all eyes will be on White Bark as they move towards a final investment decision (FID) for their groundbreaking Geothermal to Hydrogen project. If successful, this project could propel Australia to the forefront of global renewable energy innovation, setting a precedent for the rest of the world to follow.

White Bark  isn’t just expanding their geothermal hub—they’re expanding the possibilities of what Australia’s energy future can be. And in doing so, they’re proving that the path to a sustainable future lies not just in the sun and the wind, but deep within the Earth itself.

Source: White Bark Energy

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On March 31st we reported of a vital   

Head of Terms agreement between WhiteBark and Ceraphi Energy and we are certain this new Developments will unravel the next Geothermal gems in the region.

White Bark  is amongst the many Oil and gas companies which have been keen on investing in Geothermal lately and to have a much indepth outlook of how this is the next vibe in town enjoy this article .

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